News articles deliver the unembellished truth. Unlike features, which weave narratives, or op-eds, which share opinions, news articles are designed to inform and engage readers. They must be concise to ensure the reader can easily access the information. They must also be clear in order to avoid ambiguity and confusion. In the case of breaking news, these demands become even more crucial because they must be able to communicate urgent developments as they unfold.
A strong breaking news article starts with an intriguing hook that piques the reader’s interest. This can be a dramatic anecdote or surprising fact that directly relates to the developing story. The lead then moves on to the “nut graph” – a brief summary of the story’s main points that answer the questions who, what, when, where, and why. This is followed by more background information to help place the news in context. Finally, the lead should conclude with a forward-looking line or one final memorable takeaway for the reader.
Skilled reporters know how to discern what makes a story newsworthy. They ask themselves targeted questions, such as what’s different or interesting about this event? Will it affect people in a meaningful way? This helps them separate truly significant events from mundane ones – for instance, a city council meeting might seem boring until you discover how a new zoning change could transform the area. Moreover, they also understand that they can’t make assumptions about events and must always check their sources. After all, Murphy’s Law dictates that the one time you assume something is wrong will be the one time it’s true.